What is Fibrocystic Breast Condition?

What is Fibrocystic Breast Condition?

Once referred to as Fibrocystic Breast Disease, it is a common, non-cancerous condition characterized by lumpy and painful breasts, which can worsen shortly before menstruation.

What causes fibrocystic breast conditions?

There may be many factors, but the largest contributor is the changing levels of many of the body’s hormones, predominately estrogen and progesterone. Monthly fluctuations of hormones with the menstruation cycle, signal glandular tissue in the breast to grow rapidly and retain fluid, causing swelling and tenderness. Unlike the sloughing-off process in the uterus during menstruation, where each month the cell lining that has rapidly formed is released from the body, the breast does not have a mechanism to slough off and dispose of cells left after each monthly cycle.

Over time, the accumulation of cells and fluid that are not absorbed by the body and left behind in the glandular tissue in the breast, along with inflammation caused by cell debris, make women over the age of thirty the most commonly affected by fibrocystic breast conditions.

If it’s a benign condition, should I be concerned?

Certainly the monthly discomfort and tenderness is something to consider addressing, but more importantly, and the largest risk involved with having fibrocystic breasts, is the condition’s similarity in look and feel to more serious types of breast lumps. Although there is no evidence that fibrocystic breast conditions contribute to or cause cancer, the presence of benign lumps can make it more difficult to perform an effective breast self exam. How does one feel the difference between a harmless lump and one that should be evaluated by a medical professional? Very dense fibrocystic tissue can even make it harder for mammograms to be effective by hiding potential cancerous cells.

Are there foods that contribute to fibrocystic breast conditions?

Some studies have suggested, but not proven, that phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) found in coffee, tea, chocolate and colas may contribute to the increase of fibrocystic conditions by acting in the same way as estrogen and progesterone. These phytoestrogens may trigger the same rapid cell growth in the breast that happens prior to menstruation as a result of the body’s hormones. Many women have experienced improvement in symptoms of breast tenderness and lumpiness by limiting or eliminating these foods from their diets.

Also reducing sodium intake will also help to reduce the fluid retention common in the period of time prior to menstruation along with the swelling of breast tissue which may cause discomfort.

What should I consider to help fibrocystic breast condition?

Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, may help with the symptoms of swelling and tenderness by its ability to reduce inflammation and fluid retention, common with fibrocystic breast conditions. It may also help slow the rapid growth of cells that contribute to the condition.

No one has been able to prove why Vitamin E is helpful with this condition, but it does appear to help with the symptoms.

Food sources of Vitamin E and some easy ways to add them to the diet:

Almonds – half a hand-full as a snack

Olives – add black or kalamata olives to chopped cucumbers, tomato, feta cheese and greens for a delicious green salad with an olive oil vinaigrette dressing.

Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and Swiss chard – Add fresh spinach to every salad and frozen spinach or chard to soups and pasta sauces.

Avocados – slice avocado and add to sandwich in place of mayonnaise or butter.

Salmon – brush lightly with pure maple syrup and low-sodium soy sauce and bake.

Wheat germ – sprinkle on morning cereal or add to baked goods, such as muffins or pancakes.

It may not be possible to get adequate amounts of Vitamin E to affect the condition by food sources alone, so supplementation of Vitamin E may be considered.

Studies have shown that women with fibrocystic breast conditions have experienced improvement of their symptoms with supplementation of natural Vitamin E. Keep in mind it is a fat-soluble vitamin, not a water-soluble vitamin, meaning the body stores excess amounts which in some cases can cause toxicity, so daily recommended dosages should be followed closely.

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Chinese medicine has promoted this mushroom for its energizing and healing properties for thousands of years. Chinese legend is filled with stories of those who discovered the mushroom and became immortal. In the West, acceptance is based less on tradition and more on the results of the scientific method. Researchers have documented that mushrooms are some of the most potent medicines on the plant. Recent research findings have shown the Coriolus versicolor mushroom stands out above the rest for regulating the immune system.

Coriolus versicolor found to be effective against cancer and human papillomavirus

Researchers at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York tested several botanicals for their immune enhancing activity using a subcutaneous immunization model of cell surface carbohydrate expression in cancer cells in a study published in September, 2008 Vaccine. They found Coriolus versicolor to display consistent and significant immune enhancement activity superior to all other coumpounds tested. The superiority of Coriolus to yeast beta-glucan, maitake, turmeric, echinacea, and preparation H-48 from Honso USA, was described as surprising. Although the exhibited levels of immune enhancing ability of astragalus was also impressive, it was surpassed by that of Coriolus.

The March, 2008 BMC Cancer reports Coriolus versicolor has shown anticancer activity with positive results in the treatment of gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast and lung cancers. The efficacy of its protein-bound polysaccharide as an immunomodulator is credited. This activity was independent of its previously described immunomodulatory effect on NK cells.

The journal Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy reports double blind trials on 111 patients with colorectal cancer, using Coriolus versicolor. Although traditional medicine offers little help for colon cancer patients, Coriolus showed a remarkable enhancement of the patient’s white blood cells, even in advanced colon cancer cases. The white cells greatly increased natural chemotactic motion and phagocytosis, the ability to scavenge toxins and kill pathogens. Coriolus was also used with patients as a helpful maintenance therapy following cancer surgery.

The results of a year long clinical trial examining the effects of mushroom supplementation in patients with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) were so impressive they were presented in 2008 at the 20th European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynocology. Dr. Silva Couto and his research team found that Coriolus versicolor supplementation over the period of one year substantially increased regression of dysplasia and induced clearance of the high-risk subtypes of the HPV responsible for cervical cancer. Coriolus supplementation demonstrated a 72 percent regression rate in lesions compared to 47.5 percent without supplementation, and a 90 percent regression rate in the high risk HPV virus sub-types compared to 8.5 percent without.

After using the supplement for one year, 72.5 percent of recipients reverted to normal cytology compared with only 47.5 percent of the control group. Coriolus supplementation produced a 90 percent regression rate in the high risk HPV virus sub-tupes compared to an 8.5 percent regression without supplementation.

What makes Coriolus versicolor special?

Coriolus versicolor, also referred to as the turkey-tail mushroom, contains large quantities of Beta-glucans that act to stimulate the immune system. Coriolus can dramatically regenerate and rejuvenate the body. Its most active medicinal components are biological response modifiers called protein-bound polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are known as Krestin or PSK in Japan, and as Yun zhi, or PSP in China. There have been reports of cases of Bell’s palsy clearing up with use of Coriolus for just a few days. Others have found it effective against bronchitis.

Other studies have shown that Coriolus can double the number of natural killer cells after only 8 weeks of treatment. Coriolus has also been found to help patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and may be an effective treatment for Lyme disease.

More research documents the anti-tumor benefits of Coriolus

Japanese researchers screened 200 of the best phytochemicals (plant extracts) known for anti-tumor activity. Coriolus versicolor was designated as exhibiting the greatest amount of anti-tumor activity. In another Japanese study, 185 people with lung cancer at different stages were given radiation. Doctors found those who also took Coriolus showed the best tumor shrinkage and the best survival rate. Another study involving stomach cancer patients produced similar results. Those who received Coriolus survived significantly longer, felt better and had fewer side effects.

Coriolus is first line defense against infection

Coriolus is a good centerpiece for your natural medicine chest, even if you are currently the picture of health. When any type of infection strikes, you will be ready. Coriolus can be used to target any infected organ, gland or tissue. Its immune enhancing properties provide an increased response to deal effectively with infections, and do this without over stimulating the immune system.

Sources:
Clinical Trial Results Show Proof of Concept for Use of Coriolus Versicolor As Immunonutrition in IPV Patients With Cervical Lesions, Medical News Today. Coriolus, http://www.cocoonnutrition.org.
Coriolus Versicolor, University of California, San Diego Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer Patients.

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Minerals Are Essential to Daily Wellness

Minerals like iron, zinc and selenium are essential to life, your body cannot function without them. Just like vitamins, minerals help your body grow, develop, and stay healthy. The body uses minerals to perform many different functions from building strong bones to transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are even used to make hormones or maintain a normal heartbeat. Your body doesn’t make minerals, therefore, you need a reliable source from your diet. Supplements can help fill the mineral gap your diet may be lacking as well.

On commercial farms, the soil no longer has the minerals it used to. That means you may be suffering from a mineral deficiency.  Selenium is a “must-have” mineral. It’s a major player in the fight against chronic disease. Selenium dramatically lowers your risk for many types of cancer. These include lung, colon, liver, and prostate cancer.

But there’s more to selenium’s protective power. A study from the University of North Carolina shows that selenium can also lower your risk of osteoarthritis. Researchers found that people’s risk was related to the level of selenium in their bodies. To give you an idea of how powerful this mineral is, an increase of just one tenth of a part per million decreased their risk of osteoarthritis by 15 to 20 percent. The higher the amount of selenium, the more their risk dropped.

It’s also one of the most powerful antioxidants on the planet. For your bones and joints, it protects your cartilage and prevents the inflammation that causes joint pain.

As a cancer fighter, selenium slows down tumors by cutting off their blood supply. And it kills cancer cells by triggering a built-in program that kills off damaged cells.

What’s more, it stops LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) from sticking to your arteries.

So, how do you get more selenium in your diet?

Well, you won’t find much of it in fruits or vegetables. That’s why vegetarians often suffer from a lack of this very important mineral.

The best sources are fish, red meat, and Brazil nuts. It is recommended that you consume at least 55 micrograms of selenium a day.

Amount of Selenium in foods:

Food	Quantity	Micrograms
Brazil Nuts	1 oz	544
Canned Tuna or Salmon	3 oz	63
Beef (cooked)	3.5 oz	35
Cod (cooked)	3 oz	32
Turkey (roasted)	3.5 oz	32
Chicken Breast (roasted)	3.5 oz	20
Egg (medium size)	1	14
Walnuts	1 oz	5

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